Will US bishops hold firm on mandate or seek compromise?

March 09, 2012

David Gibson of Religion News Service provides background on the challenge facing the US Conference of Catholic Bishops in its current confrontation with the Obama administration over the contraceptive mandate.

One key question, Gibson notes, is whether the entire episcopal conference will agree to stand firm, or whether pressure will build to accept a compromise.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

The bishops have helped create the Frankenstein and now whine about his behavior. Even aside from the issue of religious freedom, it is a basic truth that such mandates, even those the bishops were willing to let slide, are inherently unconstitutional.

Posted by: frjpharrington3912 -
Mar. 10, 2012 10:57 PM ET USA

That many Catholic women use contraception, though unfortunate, is of no significance to the HHS mandate debate, behavior does not determine morality; otherwise many immoral behaviors would be legal. Our Founding Fathers were adamant about not paying taxes to support the Church of England, seeing it as a violation of religious freedom. They held out and won our independence, and because of their courage we have freedom of religion. Pray that the bishops have the courage to hold firm.

Posted by: williiam ronner -
Mar. 10, 2012 10:13 PM ET USA

The Bishops should accept Obama's mandate and direct practicing Catholics to do the same.The Bishops know that their main goal is the salvation of Catholics, and as anyone with a brain knows, Obama is more likely to lead one to eternal salvation than the successor of Peter or the Apostles.If things go as history dictates, Obama will announce he is in charge of the Catholic Church and persecute anyone who does not accept him as the Holy Father. Ask Sts. More and Fisher what the consequences are.

Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Mar. 09, 2012 7:50 PM ET USA

We'd better hold firm or we are going to end up paying for surgical abortions, not just the MAPill. The ultimate end of these people is the destruction of the Catholic Church in the US, or turning it into a clone of the Episcopalians.

Posted by: jeremiahjj -
Mar. 09, 2012 6:48 PM ET USA

I would urge the bishops to stand on principle. Never negotiate or compromise our principles or Catholic faith. Our bishops are babes in the woods when it comes to political games and Obama is beating them like a drum. Obama is agenda first, everything else second. Our agenda should be faith first -- which means no negotiation. This is a wonderful teaching opportunity for our bishops to deliver the message: don't mess with Catholics. Other religions will thank our clergy for standing firm.

Stay in Touch!

Subscribe to Insights

Stay on top of the latest Catholic news and analysis from CatholicCulture.org.